How much and how long should I sit or stand at my desk? There is no perfect combo for this because everyone is different. Here is what we do know; static standing all the time is harmful for you, and too much sedentary activty, such as sitting, is harmful too. It begs the question, what is the perfect combo? What combination works for you, might not work for the next person. Experts recommend, breaking it up or alternating between positions. This is actually what is best for the body – in its simplest form, we are talking about movement.
Here is what’s recommended:
Posture: Don’t forget about how you’re body is positioned while sitting or standing? Be mindful of how you do either activity. This can have an impact on how you feel. For example, you might feel like your back hurts while standing if you're not standing evenly on your feet. (I tend to stand with my hip out) Try not to hunch or roll your shoulders inward. Have your knees and elbows at 90 degrees.
Ergonomics still apply: Recommended ergonomic position applies for both seated and standing positions. Be mindful of this as standing incorrectly while working can be just as harmful as sitting.
Logical Thinking: Still wondering which is best, sitting or standing? If your goal is weight loss, you might want to consider calories burned doing either position. How many calories are burned sitting vs. standing?
There's no exact answer. But the National Institutes of Health tells us that in an hour the average 170 lb. person burns:
As you can tell, there is no definitive answer for how much you should sit or stand, the best thing you can do throughout your day is MOVE!
Here are some more blogs on height adjustable desks